Distribution and abundance of skipjack tuna along the Pakistan coast

Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus  pelamis) is second most important tropical tuna species after yellowfin tuna (Thunnus   albacares) which is caught by about 700 gillnet vessels that operate on coastal and offshore waters of Pakistan. Annual landings of tropical tuna in Pakistan have increased by 8.04 % in 2021 as compared to landings of 2020.  Higher catches of skipjack tuna were recorded in 2016 and 2017 which has steadily decreased since then. Catches to skipjack tuna have increased by 13.76 % in the same period. Studies of distribution and abundance of skipjack tuna indicates overall higher catches during January to April whereas its catches was combatively lower during post monsoon months (October to December). Higher catch (11.190 m. tons) of skipjack tuna was recorded by an observer in September 2018.